Quest 17: Edge of Dawn

Act II 2 Encounters Requires: Lord of Flame, Dead or Drowning, Rite of the Red Dawn, or Shadowfall Mountain

Quest 17: Edge of Dawn

Introduction

Each morning, the sun seems reluctant to rise, as if held down by the long and starless nights. One evening, after the darkness has swallowed the previous day all too early, a priest bursts into your tent. "It will not rise again!" he exclaims, his eyes wide and wild. "They have cursed the valley, and if you cannot break the curse by tomorrow's dawn, the sun will be bound beyond the sight of the valley forever!"

You leave immediately, heading directly for the cathedral that holds your only hope. Diving headlong into the frigid river, you swim across the dark waters and sprint for the crumbling spires. Somewhere within is hidden the sword of Arcite, also called the Dawnblade. It is only before the blazing edges of this sword that the curse can be broken and the light of day restored to the valley.

Monsters

Setup

Place the cave spiders on the Chasm (4B). Place the open group on the Ceremony Hall (a chapel or hall tile as indicated). Place Sir Alric Farrow as indicated on the map.

Place the blue objective token faceup as indicated. This token is Arcite's Sword (the Dawnblade/Duskblade). It begins on the map, unclaimed.

Place the white objective token as indicated. This token is Arcite's Sigil. The first hero to move into the sigil's space may claim it (no action required). Place the white token under that hero's figure. While carrying the sigil, that hero adds +1 [Shield] to his defense results (one additional shield on defense). The sigil cannot be transferred except when the carrier is knocked out — in that case, the sigil drops to the ground and may be claimed by another hero.

Place search tokens based on the number of heroes.

Special Rules

Arcite's Sword

The blue objective token is the sword of Sir Arcite. Only two figures may claim the sword:

A hero carrying Arcite's Sigil (the white token)
Sir Alric Farrow

To claim the sword, the eligible figure must be in the space containing the blue token. As an action, the figure picks up the sword (place the blue token under the figure). Once claimed, the sword cannot be dropped voluntarily.

If a hero carrying the sigil claims the sword, the encounter ends immediately (see "Hero Victory"). If Sir Alric Farrow claims the sword, the encounter ends immediately (see "Overlord Victory").

Sir Alric Farrow

During this encounter, Sir Alric Farrow follows the same rules for being defeated as a hero — he is knocked out when defeated, and as an action, he may stand up during his turn. While knocked out, ignore his Regeneration ability.

Sir Alric may only claim Arcite's Sword if he is in the same space as the sword. He does not need to carry the sigil.

If Sir Alric is defeated while carrying the sword, the sword drops to the space he occupied, and the encounter continues normally.

Reinforcements

At the start of each Overlord turn, the Overlord may place 1 goblin archer on the Chasm (4B) if there are no cave spiders on that tile. Alternatively, he may place 1 cave spider on the Chasm if that group has available figures. The Overlord may not exceed group limits with any placement.

Victory

Hero Victory

If a hero carrying Arcite's Sigil claims Arcite's Sword, read the following aloud:

As your fingers close around the hilt, the blade erupts with brilliant white light. The darkness clinging to the cathedral's walls recoils, and for the first time in weeks, you feel the warmth of true sunlight. The weapon hums with holy power in your grip. This is the Dawnblade — the blade that broke the Dragon Wars, that sealed Gryvorn, that will pierce the heart of the darkness consuming this valley.

Sir Alric recoils, raising an arm to shield himself from the light. "You have no idea what you hold," hisses the dark knight. "Nor do you know the price of wielding it."

The heroes win this encounter! The hero who claimed the sword receives the "Dawnblade" relic. The bearer carries it into Encounter 2.

Overlord Victory

If Sir Alric Farrow claims Arcite's Sword, read the following aloud:

Sir Alric's gauntleted hand wraps around the hilt. Instantly, the light dies. The blade darkens, turning to shadow and night, and a chill wind sweeps through the cathedral. The dark knight raises the weapon, now a blade of pure darkness — the Duskblade — and the last flicker of hope flees your heart.

The Overlord wins this encounter! Sir Alric Farrow receives the "Duskblade" relic and carries it into Encounter 2.

Carryover

Sir Alric Farrow's health state at the end of Encounter 1 carries over to Encounter 2. If he was knocked out, he begins Encounter 2 knocked out. If he was at full health, he begins at full health. Damage tokens and conditions on Sir Alric also carry over.

Introduction

You try to flee, but you can feel some force compelling you deeper. Whether it is the call of the sword or a challenge issued by its master, you are not sure. All you know is that you cannot leave this place until the mage or you are defeated.

The passage leads you to a great chapel, its stained glass windows shattered and dark. At the far end stands an altar, and before it, two figures wait. Sir Alric turns to face you, and beside him stands a man in battlemage's robes — Lord Merick Farrow. Merick's eyes burn with barely contained fury.

"You've come far," Merick says, his voice quiet but razor-sharp. "Farther than most. My wife underestimated you. I will not make the same mistake." He raises his hand, and fire kindles in his palm. "Alric. The sword. Now."

Monsters

Sir Alric Farrow (carrying the Duskblade if Overlord won Encounter 1)
Lord Merick Farrow
Barghests
Flesh moulders
2 open groups

Setup

Place Sir Alric Farrow as indicated on the map, with whatever health state carried over from Encounter 1. Sir Alric carries the Duskblade if the Overlord won Encounter 1; otherwise, he is unarmed.

Place Lord Merick Farrow as indicated on the map. Merick is a sorcerer (flesh moulder champion/agent) with the following special rules:

Merick cannot be defeated by normal means. He may only be defeated if struck by the consecrated Dawnblade (see "The Consecration").
Merick's Master Summoner ability allows him to advance or finish the ritual (see "Master Summoner").

Place the flesh moulders on the Armory (3B) and Alcove (26B), split as the Overlord prefers (respecting group limits per tile).

Place 1 open group on the Chapel (6B).

Place the second open group on the Lair/Cave (5B) or another tile as indicated.

Place the white objective token as indicated. This token is the Altar.

Place search tokens based on the number of heroes.

Special Rules

The Dawnblade / Duskblade

The outcome of Encounter 1 determines which sword is present:

If the heroes won Encounter 1, one hero carries the Dawnblade.
If the Overlord won Encounter 1, Sir Alric Farrow carries the Duskblade.

Only the Dawnblade can be consecrated at the Altar. The Duskblade cannot be consecrated.

The Consecration

As an action, a hero carrying the Dawnblade adjacent to the Altar (white token) may attempt to consecrate the weapon. The hero tests [Willpower]. If the hero passes, read the following aloud:

You press the Dawnblade against the altar and feel divine energy surge through the blade. The weapon blazes like a captured star, its light searing away the shadows that cling to the chapel. Lord Merick shields his eyes, hissing in pain. Whatever dark power protects him, it cannot withstand this light.

The Dawnblade is now consecrated. Only a hero wielding the consecrated Dawnblade may defeat Lord Merick Farrow (see "Lord Merick Farrow" below).

If the hero fails the [Willpower] test, the Dawnblade is not consecrated, but the hero may try again on a subsequent turn.

Lord Merick Farrow

Lord Merick Farrow cannot be defeated by normal attacks. He ignores all damage and effects from any source except the consecrated Dawnblade. When struck by the consecrated Dawnblade, Merick suffers damage normally and may be defeated.

If Merick is defeated (reduced to 0 Health by the consecrated Dawnblade), the quest ends immediately (see "Hero Victory").

Master Summoner

Lord Merick may advance the ritual each turn. At the start of each Overlord turn, if Merick is not knocked out:

Advance the Ritual: Place 1 fatigue token on the Altar. If the Altar has 4 or more fatigue tokens, the ritual is complete — see "Overlord Victory" below.
Finish the Ritual: Once per encounter, as an action, Merick may attempt to finish the ritual early. He tests [Willpower]. If he passes, immediately place fatigue tokens on the Altar until it has 4 tokens, and the ritual completes (see "Overlord Victory"). If he fails, no effect.
Summon: As an action, Merick may summon monsters. He may place up to 2 monsters from any open group onto the Armory (3B) or Chapel (6B), respecting group limits.

Reinforcements

At the start of each Overlord turn, the Overlord may place 1 barghest on the Lair/Cave (5B), respecting group limits.

Victory

Hero Victory

If Lord Merick Farrow is defeated by the consecrated Dawnblade, read the following aloud:

Merick staggers backward, the consecrated blade buried in his chest. Light pours from the wound, spreading through his body like cracks in stone. "Eliza..." he gasps, reaching toward the darkness. "I'm sorry... I couldn't..."

His body crumbles to ash, and the Dawnblade clatters to the ground, its light undimmed. Sir Alric watches his brother's destruction in silence. Then, without a word, the dark knight turns and walks into the shadows.

You retrieve the Dawnblade. Its warmth pulses in your grip, a promise of the dawn to come.

The heroes win! The heroes receive the "Dawnblade" relic. This relic will be important in the Finale (see Quest 19: Blood and Betrayal).

Overlord Victory

If 4 fatigue tokens are placed on the Altar (the ritual is complete), or all heroes are knocked out, read the following aloud:

Merick raises his hands above the altar, and darkness floods the chapel. The Dawnblade's light gutters and dies, replaced by a blade of perfect shadow — the Duskblade. "It is done," Merick declares, his voice devoid of triumph. "The valley will know only night, and my wife will know only victory."

Sir Alric takes the Duskblade from his brother's hands. The weapon hums with dark energy, eager for the blood that awaits it at the Finale.

The Overlord wins! The Overlord receives the "Duskblade" relic. This relic will be important in the Finale (see Quest 19: Blood and Betrayal).

Rewards

Win or lose, each player receives 1 XP.

If the heroes win, they receive the "Dawnblade" relic.

If the Overlord wins, he receives the "Duskblade" relic.

Next Quest: Blood and Betrayal (Quest 19, Finale).

Map Tiles

Encounter 1:

Chasm (4B)
Ceremony Hall (6B or equivalent Chapel tile)
Shrine/Gatehouse (8B)
Entrance

Encounter 2:

Chapel (6B)
Armory (3B)
Alcove (26B)
Lair/Cave (5B)
Entrance

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